If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Jan 31th-Feb 1st, 2014 Treeleaf Weekly Zazenkai - for Nishijima Roshi

NOTE: Our Monthly 4-Hour Treeleaf Zazenkai will be moved to February 15th in commemoration of Buddha's Parinirvana Day and to mark the passing of our Teacher, Gudo Wafu Nishijima. Today's sitting is also dedicated to Nishijima Roshi, as well as other friends now experiencing hard days.

... and to be visible at the following link during those times and sit-a-long-able any time thereafter ...

LIVE ZAZENKAI NETCAST at GOOGLE+ IS HERE:CLICK ON THE TAB ON LOWER RIGHT FOR 'FULL SCREEN

FOR THOSE NOT ALREADY MEMBERS OF THE CIRCLE WHO WISH TO JOIN TO SIT LIVE WITH A CAMERA, INSTRUCTIONS ARE POSTED AT THIS LINK. WE ARE NOW LIMITED TO 10 INDIVIDUALS WITH CAMERAS, BUT ANY NUMBER CAN WATCH LIVE 'ONE WAY' AND SIT-A-LONG VIA THE ABOVE SCREEN. IF JOINING WITH CAMERA, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR MICROPHONE IS MUTED:

As you can see, our Zazenkai consists of chanting the 'Heart Sutra' in English (the words are at the link below), some full floor prostrations in sets of three (please follow along with me ... or a simple Gassho can be substituted if you wish), followed by our Dedication, Zazen twice for about 30 minutes each, with 10 minutes of Kinhin in between, and we end the sitting with 'The Verse of Atonement' and 'The Four Vows'.

Please download and print out the Chants we will recite at the following link (PDF):

Let me also note that a lovely small calligraphy was donated by our Shokai, and will be kept in our Zendo from now on. It will be featured as well during today's Zazenkai. It is from the Heart Sutra, and reads ...

... 無罣礙 ... no attachments nor hindrances ...

Let us dedicate it to Shokai's wife, Lillian, who is in hospital today ...

Let me also note that a lovely small calligraphy was donated by our Shokai, and will be kept in our Zendo from now on. It will be featured as well during today's Zazenkai. It is from the Heart Sutra, and reads ...

... 無罣礙 ... no attachments nor hindrances ...

Let us dedicate it to Shokai's wife, Lillian, who is in hospital today ...

Gassho, J

Yes, beautiful teachings, from such beautiful teachers!

Gassho
Shingen

RINDO SHINGEN
倫道 真現

As a trainee priest, please take any commentary by me on matters of the Dharma with a pinch of salt.

Thank you all for your practice. Deep gratitude for Sawaki Roshi, Nishijima Roshi, our teachers, this Sangha, and all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time! Much love and Metta for Nishijima's family, friends, and students and to Lillian and Shokai.

How different we each are, and how varied our difficulties, and yet how connected we all are, even in our darkest hour.

Nine bows to all.

sekishi
石志

As a novice priest-in-training, this is simply an expression of my opinion. Please take it with a grain of salt.

Thanks to all who sat, are sitting and will sit. Was it a little shorter today or was just a glitch in the G+ timing? Jundo I liked your chanting! Deep Bows to Nishijima Roshi and much Love to Shokai and Lillian. Hope all is well.
Gassho
Taikyo